During the Roman possession of Britain the country was differently
governed at different periods, but eventually it was divided into five
provinces. These were intersected by a magnificent system of paved
roads running in direct lines from city to city, and having London as
a common center. (See map facing p. 14.)
Over these road bodies of troops could march rapidly to any required
point. By them, and by similar roads, leading through France, Spain,
and Italy, officers of state, mounted on relays of fleet horses, could
pass from one end of the Empire to the other in a few days' time.
(See map below, and that facing p. 14.)
So skillfully and substantially were these highways constructed, that
modern engineers have been glad to adopt them as a basis for their
work. The four chief Roman roads[1] continue to be the foundation,
not only of numerous turnpikes in different parts of England, but also
of several of the great railway lines, especially those from London to
Chester and from London to York.
[1] The four chief roads were: (1) Watling Street; (2) Icknield
Street; (3) Irmin Street; and (4) The Fosse Way. (See map facing
p. 14.)